How Do You Spell MERTHIOLATE?

Pronunciation: [mˈɜːθɪˌɒle͡ɪt] (IPA)

Merthiolate is a topical antiseptic used to prevent infection. The word is spelled /mərˈθaɪəleɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by an aspirated "th" sound. The second syllable contains a long "i" sound and a syllabic "l" sound. The last syllable is pronounced with a diphthong "ā" sound followed by a "t". The spelling can be tricky, with the "m" and "r" often getting mixed up or forgotten entirely, but proper spelling is important for medical purposes.

MERTHIOLATE Meaning and Definition

1. Merthiolate, also known as thiomersal or thimerosal, is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a disinfectant and antiseptic agent in various medical applications. It is an organomercury compound consisting of ethyl mercury(II) thiosalicylate.

   Merthiolate is typically used in topical solutions, primarily for its bactericidal and antifungal properties. It is known to be effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and some viruses.

   The main mechanism of action of merthiolate is based on its ability to disrupt the integrity of cell membranes, interfering with essential cellular processes that lead to bacterial or fungal cell death. It has been widely used for disinfecting wounds, treating minor skin infections, and as a preservative in vaccines and medical formulations.

   Although merthiolate has been safely and effectively used for many years, there have been concerns regarding its potential toxicity. This is mainly due to the presence of mercury, a known toxic heavy metal. As a result, the use of merthiolate has been significantly reduced or banned in many countries.

   In conclusion, merthiolate is a disinfectant and antiseptic compound used for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Despite its effectiveness, caution should be exercised with its use due to the potential health risks associated with mercury exposure.

Common Misspellings for MERTHIOLATE

• nerthiolate
• kerthiolate
• jerthiolate
• mwrthiolate
• msrthiolate
• mdrthiolate
• mrrthiolate
• m4rthiolate
• m3rthiolate
• meethiolate
• medthiolate
• mefthiolate
• metthiolate
• methiolate

Etymology of MERTHIOLATE

The word "merthiolate" is derived from the chemical compound it represents, called "thimerosal". The term "thimerosal" was coined by Eli Lilly and Company in 1927, combining the names of the chemicals "mercury" and "thiosalicylate". The "mer-" component refers to mercury, as thimerosal contains mercury as an ingredient. The "-thiolo-" part is derived from "thiosalicylate", which is a compound composed of thiols and salicylic acid. The ending "-ate" is a common suffix used in chemical nomenclature. Over time, "thimerosal" became a trade name for the antiseptic solution containing the compound, and "merthiolate" became a colloquial term used to refer to the product.